NEW BRITAIN – With words of motivation and wishes of success, Mayor Erin Stewart cut the ribbon at a new downtown barbershop Wednesday afternoon.

In the Cut Barber Lounge, is located at 14 Main St., in the space that used to be Courtside Cuts.

In the Cut Barber Lounge was opened about a month ago, by the new-business owners Ryan Delgado, Kevin Arch, and Dysean Shumpert. They are all New Britain residents.

The three new owners previously worked at Courtside Cuts. However, the previous owner was evicted and the new owners saw the need to sign the lease in order not to lose their jobs, Delgado said.

The new owners told The Herald that they had to start from scratch, from changing the name of the business, to making a $35,000 renovation.

“It was a big project, but well worth it,” Delgado said.

They now have two open chairs that licensed barbers can rent.

“It was kind of sudden how it happened, we were not really expecting it to happen that way, but honestly, is the best thing that happened to us, because we had no choice,” Delgado said.

For Arch, who has worked in the establishment since 2005, going from being an employee to being the owner is one of the most rewarding things, he said.

All of the new owners said they feel “blessed” to have each other to rely on. They have been long-time co-workers as well as friends.

Shumpert said that one of the things that he will enjoy the most about being the owner is that he will be in a better position to give back to the community. But the three have wasted no time, as they are now sponsoring New Britain Legacies, and a DMTS Radio program.

Amy Peters, of New Britain, said it’s always good to see a new business open in the city.

“It’s really nice to see the younger people stepping up and laying their roots here,” Peters said. “I’m excited for them, I hope it all works out.”

In the Cut Barber Lounge is open Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.